You can feel the nervousness in the air.  The Cavaliers have won a few games, and now are only a 1/2 game behind(?)  Minnesota for the worst record in the NBA.

Of course, the team with the worst record in the league gets the most chances to get the first pick in the draft, based on the NBA’s lottery system.

Having the most chances means little in terms actually getting the first pick, as history has shown us that more often than not, the team with the worst record doesn’t get the top pick.

The last team to have the worst record and get the first selection was Orlando in 2004.

So, having the worst record in the league guarantees you nothing in terms of getting the first pick.  In fact, that team only has a 25% chance of getting the #1 pick anyway.

The second and third worst record have each won the lottery for the first overall pick more times than the team with the worst record. 

What if the Cavaliers finish with the worst record and don’t get the first selection?  Will the people hoping they lose wish they would have won instead?

Another thing to factor in is that you are telling professional athletes to lose.  That’s totally against their make up.  These guys play to win.  They don’t want to be embarrassed by the opposition. 

J.J. Hickson told reporters that he is looking forward to the season finale against the Wizards because of the way he played against Andray Blatche in the last game between the two teams.

Blatche had 16 offensive rebounds that night.

It’s actually a tribute to Byron Scott and the players wearing the wine and gold that even with a 17-61 record, they are playing hard.  It bodes well for the future of the team.  It shows character, which is an important part of winning.

Besides, it’s not as though winning the draft lottery is the magic pill that elevates a team to a title.  Ask Toronto how getting the first pick helped them?  Or Milwaukee? 

Or the Cavaliers for that matter.  How many championships did the franchise win with LeBron James?  How many has Orlando won with Dwight Howard?  The answer is quite simple…zero.

You have to remember that this team suffered the indignity of losing 26 consecutive games earlier this season.  And now you want them to lose games on purpose?  These guys are tired of losing, and that includes the coaching staff.

That’s why it is very difficult for Scott to play younger guys when he has a chance to win games.  Players like Manny Harris and Christian Eyenga received a lot of minutes during the losing streak.  They got experience then, and it wasn’t pretty.

So, you can’t use the excuse that the Cavs should be using young players.  With Antawn Jamison out with an injury, it’s not like the guys who are playing now will not be on the team next season.

If they aren’t, it’s because they’ve shown they are not good enough, Scott isn’t giving anytime to guys who are leaving for free agency over the summer.

If the Cavs wind up with the worst record in the league and get the first overall pick, that’s great.  They could have the worst record and not get that choice. 

Getting that pick would be nice, but it’s not worth having players and coaches not try to win.  After a 26 game losing streak, you can’t blame them for enjoying victories.

JK

Apparently, the idea of contraction is being brought up in baseball circles once again, just in time for new labor negotiations.  Although the baseball talks have not reached the contentious stage that the NFL’s have, that doesn’t mean each side has some issues to get across.

The ownership will use the possibility of eliminating teams to its advantage.  SB Nation’s Rob Neyer threw out the names of the Oakland A’s and Tampa Bay Rays as possibilities for downsizing if the sport decides to go that way. 

After all, the Rays couldn’t sell out their home opener after a division winning season last year.  Even the Indians have sold out each of their openers since Progressive Field opened in 1994. 

The whole idea of losing teams comes up because after a sellout on Friday, the two smallest crowds ever to attend a Tribe game showed up on the two weekend dates against the White Sox.

Naturally, people within the sport are concerned about the shrinking fan base in Cleveland.

It was just ten years ago that fans filled the ballpark to the tune of 455 consecutive sellouts, but it seems like eons ago.  And as people point out all the time, the streak occurred at a time when the Browns were not around. 

Lately, attendance has been spotty.  Since 1999, when 3.468 million walked through the turnstiles, the number of people watching the Tribe has declined steadily.

The team drew 2.6 million in 2002 coming off a division winning year, but that was the last season over 2 million until another division pennant was won in 2007, when they drew 2.2 million. 

The following year, expectations were again high, and over 2 million fans again watched the Indians.  However, the biggest problem for the franchise is the lack of sustained winning.

The team drew close to 2 million (1.99 and 1.96) in 2005 and 2006 as well.  If you recall, the ’05 missed the playoffs by one game, and fans were optimistic going into the following season. 

There is no question attendance figures would have been much higher in both ’06 and ’08 had the team gotten off to a good start, thereby convincing the casual fan that the playoffs were on the horizon once again.

There is no question that poor starts in both seasons killed the potential for good gates throughout the year.

The other problem for the poor attendance is the lack of confidence in the ownership and front office.  That is something that needs to be addressed by the administration.

Fair or not, most fans have been disenchanted since the 2009 trades of Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez, both of whom were under contract to the team through the end of the 2010 season. 

Yes, many people forget that both players could have been here all last season.

It’s okay to trade a player who will probably leave for free agency at the end of the year if the team is having a poor season.  Why not get something in return instead of draft picks?

However, giving up on the season afterward as well was the last straw for many Tribe fans.  The ownership basically wrote off a season before it even started, and the fans haven’t forgotten.

Now, the ownership is in the position of changing the mindset of its fan base.  They have to win back the trust of the people who buy tickets, and right now, they haven’t done it.

Until it happens, the Indians are going to have to fight to put people in the seats.  The guess here is they won’t make the same mistake again, but the damage is done. 

A lot of empty seats at Progressive Field serve as witness to that.

KM

First of all, it’s only two games for the Cleveland Indians and any other major league baseball team.  Heck, the Red Sox were picked by a lot of experts to win the World Series, and they are 0-2, the same record as the Tribe. 

The Minnesota Twins are the model for fans of small market teams, like those of the Indians, and they are also 0-2.  So, it is ridiculous to panic about losing the first two games of any major league baseball season.

However, for a team that needs to win back fans after two abysmal seasons, this isn’t the way to start off.

Falling behind 14-0 in the fourth inning of the home opener doesn’t help.  Having your best starting pitcher give up 10 runs in three innings of work doesn’t help.  Being down 5-0 in the second inning of the following game doesn’t help.  The Indians need to give their supporters a reason to think things are different in 2011, but you would suspect many in Cleveland already think nothing has changed from 2009 and 2010 in terms of the competitiveness of this ballclub.

That’s not fair, but as they say “perception is reality”.  And the reality for Tribe fans is this could be another terrible April, and they have seen that movie before, plenty of times in the last ten seasons.

The Indians could win today, take two of three from Boston, and finish the homestand at 3-3, and the memories of Fausto Carmona giving up a boatload of runs on Opening Day will quickly be forgotten.

Here are some good things to take away from the first two games:  First, Travis Hafner has four hits in the two contests including a home run, and he’s pulling the ball.  Second, Carlos Santana looks like he did when he first came up to the bigs last June, and he hit a home run right-handed on Friday, which is considered his weak side at the plate.

Also, Asdrubal Cabrera looks healthy and has driven the ball at the dish, while rookie Vinnie Pestano came on in the opener and struck out the side in the ninth.

On the negative side, the starting pitching has to keep the team in games.  Now, Cleveland may be catching the White Sox on a hot streak to start the year, and the plate umpire’s strike zones have been a little inconsistent (for both teams), but you can’t dig your offense a hole day in and day out. 

And Chad Durbin came in and pour gasoline on a Chicago rally, turning a 6-3 Sox lead into a tough to overcome 8-3 deficit by walking a guy and giving up a two run double to Carlos Quentin, the hottest of the White Sox hitters in the first two games.  This is said because Durbin has had little or no success in the American League, and this was pointed out when the Tribe signed him.

Also, a bit concerning is Michael Brantley’s swing. He seems to be inside out swinging again, which was a problem at the beginning of last season.  Brantley needs to show he can drive the ball to be an effective hitter in the bigs. Not to say he should try to hit home runs, but he needs to keep outfielders honest by showing he can hit it over their heads. 

It would also help to show bunt at least once or twice a game to keep the left side of the infield honest. 

Relax everybody, we are as critical of the Indians’ regime as anyone, and although an 0-2 start isn’t anything to smile about, it’s not the end of the world either. 

Team president Mark Shapiro says you evaluate a team after 40 games, and that’s a little too conservative.  But one sixth of the season is 27 games, and that’s a good point to start judging.  There are still 25 games to go before we reach that point.

MW

It’s that time of year.  The baseball season is here and spring and warm weather must be just around the corner. 

It’s also time for our fearless baseball predictions.

AL East

Boston

New York

Tampa Bay

Toronto

Baltimore

This division is starting to get closer.  Boston added Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez, but their problem last year was pitching.  They were second in the AL in runs scored.  The Yankees are starting to show age, and they are depending on Freddie Garcia as a fifth starter.  Tampa Bay lost a lot from last year’s division champs, but still have David Price and Evan Longoria, arguably the division’s best players.  Toronto is putting together a nice core of youngsters and hit a lot of homers.  Baltimore is improving too, and Buck Showalter will make sure they play hard.

AL Central

Minnesota

Chicago

Detroit

Cleveland

Kansas City

The Twins just keep winning and winning, although the White Sox continue to push them.  Getting Justin Morneau and Joe Nathan back will help the Twins defend their crown.  The Sox will score runs with new addition Adam Dunn, but their bullpen could hold them back.  The Tigers picked up Victor Martinez to help their hitting, but can Jhonny Peralta play SS well enough?  The Indians have too many holes to contend, and the Royals have the best farm system in baseball, but they haven’t arrived in the majors as of yet.

AL West

Texas

Oakland

Los Angeles

Seattle

Texas will score a bunch of runs and still have enough pitching to win even after Cliff Lee’s departure.  Oakland is the dark horse with all kinds of young pitching and depth in the bullpen.  If they improve offensively, look out.  The Angels are aging and still need a better closing option, perhaps rookie Jordan Walden?  The Mariners will be grinders, but their offense is still very weak.

AL Wild Card:  Chicago

 

NL East

Philadelphia

Atlanta

New York

Florida

Washington

The Phillies’ rotation is the best baseball has seen in a long time, and you know they can hit as well, even if Chase Utley is hurting.  Atlanta is solid and will contend if Jason Hayward avoids the sophomore slump.  Dan Uggla will help their hitting. The Mets pitching is in flux without ace Johan Santana.  Florida has some good young arms and power bats and could contend if they develop sooner than expected.  Washington has the beginning of a good organization, but having Steven Strasburg out doesn’t help.

NL Central

St. Louis

Cincinnati

Milwaukee

Chicago

Pittsburgh

Houston

Many are picking the Reds here, but St. Louis will be highly motivated in what could be Albert Pujols’ last year as a Cardinal.  The Reds are good, but their pitching doesn’t measure up to the Cardinals even without Adam Wainwright.  The Brewers will be in race too with their improved pitching, led by newcomer Zack Greinke.  The Cubs still don’t have enough pitching to win.  Pittsburgh has some young talent, but not enough.  The Astros could be the worst team in baseball.

NL West

San Francisco

Colorado

Los Angeles

San Diego

Arizona 

The defending champs have the pitching to overcome a still shaky offense to get back to the post-season.  Colorado has a strong core of young talent, but come up a bit short on the pitching side.  The Dodgers are an enigma.  They seem to have the talent to win, but come up short.  Maybe new skipper Don Mattingly makes a difference.  The Padres have started the rebuilding process, again.  The Diamondbacks are changing their offensive philosophy, but still need pitching.

NL Wild Card:  Colorado

 

World Series:  Phillies over Red Sox.

Now that we’ve reached the Final Four in the NCAA tournament, fans of the Cavaliers are making some final notes on who the wine and gold should take with the two lottery picks they possess in this June’s NBA draft.

Arizona’s Derrick Williams and UConn’s Kemba Walker have impressed everyone with their play in this tournament.  But do their games translate into being impact players at the professional level.

For a sense of background, let’s examine how NBA general managers view the talent coming into the league. 

First of all, pro teams are far more likely to take a risk on bigger players than guards.  That’s why Darko Milicic was drafted after LeBron James in 2003, ahead of Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony.  These guys are mesmerized by height, mostly because a good big man is hard to find.

That’s why you will hear a lot about Enes Kanter, a 6’11” post player from Turkey, 6’11” forward Jan Vesely from the Czech Republic, and 7′ Donatas Motiejunas from Lithuania, even though you’ve never seen them play. 

Secondly, NBA personnel people figure every good college player can put the ball in the basket, but can they stop their opponent from scoring?  That’s why there are questions about BYU’s Jimmer Fredette.  No one doubt he can score, but can he defend at the pro level, or will he be another Trajan Langdon?

So, with those disclaimers in place, who can Cavs GM Chris Grant be keeping his eye on with a little less than three months to go before the draft?

Obviously, the prize of the draft, should he declare for it is Duke point guard Kyrie Irving.  He’s the safe pick, the most likely of this draft class to be an all-star type player.

He handles well, can shoot, and was schooled at Duke, so you know he has some idea on how to play at the defensive end of the floor.  His performance in the tournament answered any questions about the foot injury he suffered early in his season. 

If the Cavaliers indeed get the first pick in June, Irving will be their likely choice.

Harrison Barnes from North Carolina would be their second choice because he’s pure small forward.  Listed at 6’8″, he improved greatly as his freshman campaign continued and played his way back into the top five after being the pre-season consensus #1 choice. 

The difference between Barnes and Williams is the uncertainty of the latter’s position.  Williams will play power forward, but he may be a bit undersized there at 6’9″.   He certainly has a shot blocker’s mentality.

He probably could use a better mid range jumper, though, but that’s a mild criticism.

If the Cavaliers continue to have the worst record in the league, the worst they can do is get the fourth overall pick, which means they would get either Irving, Barnes, or Williams, or one of the European big men listed before.

With their second lottery pick, which will probably be in the top ten, there are some intriguing players than could be available. 

One player who hasn’t received a lot of publicity is Colorado G Alec Burks.  Burks is 6’6″ and is very athletic with a soft touch from outside.  He’s averaging 20.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. 

Another alternative if the Cavs do not get Irving is Kentucky point guard Brandon Knight.  Knight’s a bigger point guard at 6’3″ and is more of a shooter than a penetrator. 

Walker is an offensive machine, but he’s under six feet tall which could cause problems defensively.  He is projected to go around 12-20 in the draft.

A combination of Williams or Barnes and Knight wouldn’t be the worst thing for the wine and gold. 

It’s nice to watch these games and imagine some of these players in a Cavalier uniform.  In a few months, at least two of these guys will be wearing one.

JK

Hope is in the air!  The baseball season starts in earnest for Cleveland fans on Friday afternoon, when the Tribe and White Sox battle at Progressive Field. 

Finally, they are playing games that count.

The Indians are projected by many to finish in fourth place of the AL Central Division, and right now that seems to be an accurate picture of the ’11 Tribe.  You can make the argument that Cleveland could finish ahead of Minnesota, Chicago, and Detroit to move up in the standings, but a lot would have to go right to finish better than fourth.

Here are some things that concern this fan about this season–

Health.  The Indians had a lot of injuries last season, and they weren’t the usual nicks and bumps that happen throughout a normal season.  Grady Sizemore has micro-fracture surgery on his knee.  Travis Hafner’s shoulder still has not returned to 100%, and this could be a fourth season where he isn’t Pronk.  Asdrubal Cabrera came off a tremendous 2009 season, only to break his arm and miss a good portion of the season.

If this team wants to stay in the race, they can’t have anymore injuries of the catastrophic variety.  If Sizemore can come back to something that resembles the all-star we know, and Cabrera’s career path resumes from ’09, when he was the second best SS in the league, it would allow Cleveland to stay in the race.

Starting pitching.  The Indians front office will point to the second half of last season as to how good the rotation was, but there still are a lot of question marks.  First, would be Carlos Carrasco, who pitched well in September, but baseball people always say not to get all excited about performances in April or September.

The 24-year-old has had two solid AAA seasons, but still seems susceptible to the long ball.  If they are solo jobs, then it doesn’t really hurt his chance of winning.  However, it is something to watch for as the season begins.

The other concern is Mitch Talbot, who was 10-13 with a 4.41 ERA last season.  However, Talbot was 5-3 with a 2.40 ERA in April and September.  The rest of the season, he was 5-10 with a 5.20 ERA.  See above for comments on April and September records. 

Talbot has been spotty in spring training, so much that Manny Acta has slotted him in the 5th spot in the rotation, behind Josh Tomlin. 

If Carrasco and Talbot struggle when the regular season starts, the front office’s optimistic view of the rotation will have taken a hit, and will send the organization scrambling.  There is depth with David Huff and Jeanmar Gomez, but the Indians would rather not bring those guys up early in the campaign.

The offense.  Much of the concern would be eased by the injury dilemma, that is, having Grady Sizemore, Travis Hafner, and Asdrubal Cabrera healthy.  One note on Hafner, he’s not a 40 home run guy.  Never has been.  He hit 40 one time in a big league season, in 2006.  What he is is a guy who hits 25+, walks a ton, and gets a bunch of doubles.

The hitting attack could have problems too, if Orlando Cabrera doesn’t bounce back (doubtful since he’s 36), Matt LaPorta doesn’t fulfill his promise (a poor spring doesn’t make you warm and fuzzy), and Michael Brantley can’t improve his on base percentage to close to .400. 

If they don’t get solid hitting from those three, once opposing pitchers get past Hafner, they will feel like they are on vacation.  A 6-9 string of O. Cabrera, Kearns, LaPorta, and Hannahan/Everett doesn’t put fear in a lot of hurlers. 

Baseball fans are always optimistic on Opening Day, but if you are a fan of the Tribe, there is still plenty to worry about.

MW

With Opening Day just a week away, the Indians still have over 40 players still in camp, meaning they have a lot of tough decisions to make on who will come to Cleveland next week.

Another thing that complicates matters is that several non-roster players are playing themselves on to the roster.  That may be a good thing, but the organization will have to take men off the 40-man roster to make room.

That roster now stands at 39 players after reliever Jensen Lewis was waived earlier this week, as predicted in this space. 

If we say the starting lineup is as follows:  Matt LaPorta at first, Orlando Cabrera at 2B, Asdrubal Cabrera at SS, and Luis Valbuena at 3B, with an outfield of Shin-Soo Choo, Michael Brantley, and Austin Kearns, and Carlos Santana behind the plate, and Travis Hafner as the DH, then how does the bench break out?

First off, the backup catcher may be a non-roster player, either veterans Paul Phillips or Luke Carlin.  That could happen if the brass decides Lou Marson needs to play everyday somewhere.  The bet here is Marson stays in Cleveland.

The utility infielder battle is probably between veteran NRI (non roster invitee) Jack Hannahan and Jayson Nix.  Really, the former will probably start at third, with Valbuena being the backup at 2B, SS, and 3B.  The guess is that Nix gets designated for assignment because he can only really play 2B, and hasn’t hit in Arizona.

Another possibililty is that non-roster guy Adam Everett makes the squad instead of Valbuena, but that would mean someone else might have to go, perhaps Shelley Duncan?

The two other bench spots will likely go to Travis Buck and Chad Huffman, both non-roster guys.  Huffman beats out Duncan, although that’s a tough decision.  Duncan hits southpaws very well. 

With one spot open on the roster, they means one more player will have to go. 

We project the Tribe will put OF Trevor Crowe, out all training camp with a shoulder problem, and the 60 day disabled list to start the season.  This procedure allows the club to take him off the 40 man roster. 

When he is able to play, he will have to be put back on the roster or released, but the injury buys the front office time to further evaluate players.

As for the pitching staff, the starting rotation appears to be set with Fausto Carmona at the top, followed by Justin Masterson, Carlos Carrasco, Mitch Talbot, and Josh Tomlin.

In the bullpen, the for sure spots belong to closer Chris Perez, southpaws Tony Sipp and Rafael Perez, and newcomer Chad Durbin.

That leaves three spots open, as Joe Smith will start the season on the disabled list.  The four candidates are Frank Herrmann, Jess Todd, rookie Vinnie Pestano, and veteran Doug Mathis, with the latter being the odd man out because he’s a non roster player. 

That, and the problems he’s had throwing strikes at the big league level, and in exhibition play as well.

When Smith is healthy, the Indians can always send Herrmann, Pestano, and even Smith back to Columbus, because they have options left.

So there you have it.  The Tribe will keep Marson as the backup catcher, release Jayson Nix and Duncan, and put Trevor Crowe on the 60 day DL. 

The latter three  moves open up three more spots on the 40 man roster, so the Tribe can add Hannahan, Everett, Buck, and Huffman. 

Problem solved.  Would you like any other advice, Chris Antonetti?

MW

Mike Holmgren has played this game before. 

The game is the same one played by politicians all over the country.  It’s the art of saying nothing while saying something. 

Holmgren makes it seem like if he could, he would take 20 players at the #6 spot in next month’s NFL draft.  He loves everybody.  Everybody can play.  They are all good, young men whom he would be proud to have wearing the uniform of the Cleveland Browns.

Because he loves everybody, he makes himself open as a trade partner for several teams who might want a player the Browns don’t really want, and are willing to give up extra draft picks in exchange.

Look, the Browns are committed to Colt McCoy at quarterback and really don’t have a lot of interest in Cam Newton.  However, if you are drafting at spots #7, #8, #9, or #10, and you think Cleveland wants him, you might trade up either to the Browns or ahead of them.

If the trade is with Cleveland, the brown and orange would get extra picks depending on how far the trade partner moved up.

If the trade is with another team to jump ahead of the Browns, then another player, perhaps a guy Holmgren and GM Tom Heckert really love, drops to the sixth selection.

Last year when early mock drafts came out, they had Cleveland selecting CB Joe Haden.  As time went on, other names started to go in and out of the Browns’ consciousness according to the experts. 

Guess who they wound up picking?

This year will be different because the early mock drafts all focused on the Browns need for wide receivers, and had them taking Georgia WR A. J. Green with their first pick. 

Later, mock drafts showed defensive players, mostly front seven people because that need is more urgent for a team switching from a 3-4 scheme to a 4-3 alignment. 

Heckert will probably stick it what he did in Philadelphia, which was draft defense on the first round and work on the offensive side of the ball afterwards. 

The Browns would love if either Texas A & M LB Von Miller or LSU CB Patrick Peterson would drop to them at #6. 

Either player would make an immediate impact to the defense and would also fill a need.

Miller can be the edge pass rusher Cleveland hasn’t had since, well, forever, or at least since Marty Schottenheimer decided he’d had enough of Chip Banks back in the 80’s.  Imagine how much better the secondary would look if opposing passers didn’t have all day to deliver the football.

Peterson would team with Haden to give the Browns a pair of shutdown cornerbacks, a necessity in today’s pass driven pro football.  Along with second year safety T. J. Ward and veteran Sheldon Brown, Cleveland would have one of the league’s best secondaries starting this fall.

When is the last time you could say that about a Browns defensive unit? 

Oh yeah, the last time Cleveland was one of the best teams in the NFL, in the late 80’s when Hanford Dixon and Frank Minnifield manned the corners at old Municipal Stadium. 

The Browns hierarchy knows what it wants to do in this draft, but they also like to use a little misdirection. 

As fans, just be careful that the actions of Holmgren and Heckert are designed to create doubt in the minds of other front offices. 

Otherwise, the guys who make up the mock drafts could just do the picking themselves.

JD

When the Cleveland Indians really want to know why fans question their moves, the answer is as plain as the grin on the ever smiling Chief Wahoo’s face.  Seriously, you can’t make some of this stuff up.

Today, the team announced the 3B Jason Donald has a fracture in the middle finger of his left hand, a result of being hit by a pitch a week or so ago.  Donald, thought to be the frontrunner to start at the hot corner on Opening Day will be out until the middle of April. 

The team says it will decide between Jack Hannahan, Jayson Nix, and Luis Valbuena to take over the spot until Donald is ready to go.  It’s really like picking the least likely to be horrible once the season begins.

Meanwhile, Lonnie Chisenhall, who is hitting .500 on the spring has been told he has no chance to make the club. 

It is understandable from the Tribe’s point of view not to bring the youngster north and start his clock ticking in regard to service time, but they can’t really believe picking among Hannahan, Nix, and Valbuena excites anybody. 

Hannahan is 31 years old and the only thing he’s proven at the big league level is that he’s a utility man at best.  He’s a good defender, and in 856 big league at bats, he’s hitting .224 with 16 HR and 90 RBI’s.  Having Hannahan make the roster pretty much tells you the Indians have no interest in winning in 2011.

Readers of this blog know how we feel about Nix, who at 28 years old has put up a career batting average of .215 with 26 HR and 68 RBI.  Put that together with the way he fielded the position, or didn’t field it, in a trial last season, and you don’t have a warm and fuzzy feeling about him playing the spot.  In fact, in looking at the non-roster players trying to make the team, the thought occurs that Nix may be DFA’d to open a spot on the 40 man roster.

Valbuena should get the opportunity first because he has proven the least at the big league level.  He did play well in his rookie year of 2009, but was god awful last season.  He also has the highest batting average of the group, a robust .226 in 692 at bats. 

At least you can believe that Valbuena might be able to regain his rookie form and hit a little bit with a little pop. 

And really, all we are saying about Chisenhall is that he should be given a shot.  All of the naysayers about controlling service time want it to take a little longer before he’s eligible for arbitration and free agency.  Here’s an alternative for you, why don’t you sign him up early to take away his arbitration and his first year of free agency?  Guess no one thought of that alternative.

The other candidate to get released at the end of training camp to make room for non-roster players is reliever Jensen Lewis.  Guys who come out of the bullpen and can’t throw strikes and give up long balls have a small shelf life.  Lewis probably sealed his fate when he was horrendous against Milwaukee this week, giving up a couple of  three run homers. 

Vinnie Pestano, a rookie, has done well in Goodyear and has probably passed Lewis in the pecking order.

Another young reliever, Josh Judy was sent out today again despite having just one bad outing.  It appears someone in the organization isn’t enamored of him.

Opening Day is less than two weeks away, and to be sure, the news of Jack Hannahan starting at 3B will have Tribe fans remembering the days when players like Bell, Nettles, Jacoby, and Thome played the spot. 

KM

All you have to do is look at the Eastern Conference standings in the NBA. 

Currently, Indiana, Milwaukee, and Charlotte are battling for the 8th seed and the right to take on the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs. 

Detroit and New Jersey, with 23 and 22 wins respectively, are less than six games out of the last spot in the top-heavy East. 

Which is pretty sad for the sake of the league.

However, if you are still paying attention to the fortunes of the Cavaliers, that with two likely top ten picks, and the return of at least one very important injured player, this team could be in the playoff hunt as early as next season.

Not to get carried away, this is not to say the wine and gold would be a factor in the post-season, or be able to be anything more than fodder for the elite of the East (Boston, Chicago, Miami, and Orlando).

But they don’t have to take a great leap in order to get back in the playoffs based on the weakness of the East as a whole.

The biggest factor that Byron Scott has is he will get one of the better rebounders and defenders in the NBA back for the start of next season in Varejao. 

For a team that is short on size, that is a huge factor. 

GM Chris Grant will also have the expiring contract of Antawn Jamison, which will be a more tradeable chip next season because it is now a one season commitment. 

And there is little doubt Grant will try to move Baron Davis before the deadline.  Hopefully, Davis understands that his ticket out of Cleveland and on to a title contender is to be in shape and play very well at the beginning of the season. 

Based on the brief glimpses we’ve seen of the veteran point guard, there is no question he can be a dynamic player when he wants to be.  At 32 years old, Davis should realize his days of having a chance at playing for a good team are drawing to an end.

Those are pieces that Grant has at his disposal to improve a basketball team that also a chance to get two pretty good players in this year’s draft.

Let’s say the Cavs win the draft lottery and get the first overall pick this June.  It is said that because Byron Scott has had great success with point guards (Jason Kidd and Chris Paul), the team covets Duke freshman guard Kyrie Irving.

As the college season has played out, it has been shown that there are several very good players who will enter the draft this summer.  If Grant can make the correct decision with the pick obtained from the Clippers, the wine and gold could have two new starters when the season opens next fall.

Of course, people thought the same thing with the New Jersey Nets after they picked Derrick Favors to add to a good collection of young talent.  They still are on the outside looking in as far as the playoffs go.

But you cannot discount the Jamison piece of the puzzle.  Moving the veteran for more young talent could cut even more time off the rebuilding process. 

It is very possible the Cavaliers could have as many as three new starters to open the 2011-12 season, and perhaps four if you count Varejao, with perhaps only J.J. Hickson as a holdover.

The point here is the weakness of the Eastern Conference also speeds up the time needed to make the Cavs a playoff team.  Dan Gilbert, Chris Grant, and Scott are dedicated to turning over the roster as quickly as possible.

A 15 game increase in wins next year could put this franchise back in the post-season.  Believe it or not?

JK